PM LAYS DOWN LAW ON AI; BUDGET ALERT
PM moves to beef up data centre regulations
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced sweeping reforms to regulate the establishment of data centres, with national standards on construction and operation. Legislation will be introduced to force data centres to underwrite their own new power supply, pay their full share of connection costs, strengthen the electricity grid, and enhance water efficiency. In addition, the Federal Government will also work with states and territories to ensure large data centres are built in the most appropriate locations, with input from local communities. An Office of Artificial Intelligence will be established within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to accelerate implementation of the Australian standards on a national level. Mr Albanese said the proposed standards for large data centres would be the first to be legislated by a government worldwide.
Push for copyright control against AI use
As part of its data centre reforms, the Federal Government will seek to secure copyright for Australian artists. In a speech to introduce the reforms, PM Anthony Albanese said Australian writers, artists and journalists must retain ownership and control of their work. He said that no company should use Australian books, music, art or news to build or train AI without the artist’s consent, which included the artist’s control of the price and value of their work. The PM said no country had yet to get right the copyright issue; nowhere did artists or rights holders have sufficient control of their work, when it came to AI training.
Parliamentary report warns on budget savings assumptions
A major parliamentary report has found that the Federal Government’s long-term fiscal position is sustainable but relies heavily on yet-to-be-realised savings, particularly in the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The report by the Parliamentary Budget Office found that the fiscal projections had improved, with the budget forecast to return to surplus within a decade. But the PBO said the projected “historically large” NDIS savings (more than $37 billion reduction in payments over four years) announced in the 2026-27 Budget were largely offset by faster growth in structural spending, including interest costs, defence and health. Climate change would also continue to have broad impacts on the Australian economy, including through mitigation and adaptation expenditure, the report said. In addition, the PBO warned that the rising level of total state debt would place pressure on Commonwealth finances.
Rowland to toughen up modern slavery laws
Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland has announced a strengthening of Australia’s anti-slavery legislation, to address risks in business supply chains. Modern slavery, which includes slavery, forced labour and debt bondage, is a crime under Australian law. The Federal Government will strengthen Australia’s modern slavery laws with a new criminal offence where companies with an annual consolidated revenue of more than $100 million fail to prevent modern slavery in their supply chains. Ms Rowland said that under the legislation, there would be a defence available if a company could demonstrate that they took reasonable steps to prevent modern slavery.
Company registrations breaking records, says Treasurer
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has claimed a new monthly record for the creation of small businesses in Australia, with more than 40,000 businesses registered in June. Dr Chalmers and Small Business Minister Anne Aly said 43,393 new businesses were registered in June with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. A total 385,716 businesses were registered in 2025-26, also a new record. The ministers said more than 1.3 million new businesses had been created in the last four years.